Ornamental covering for containers



' y 1940. H. LATHROP 7 ORNAMENTAL COVERING FOR CONTAINERS Filed m 10. 1938 INVENTOR HARVEY LA THEOP av ATTORNEIQS Patented May 21, 1940 I artiste UNITED STATES PTENT OFFHE- ORNAMENTAL COVERING FOR CONTAINERS Harvey Lathrop, Forest Hills, Long Island, N. Y. Application November 10, 1938, Serial No. 239,769

5 Claims. (Cl. ll--34)v My present invention relates generally to an ornamental covering for a cylindrical container such as a tobacco can.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a simple type of covering, of relatively ornamental character, adapted to be removably applied to a commercial container for the purpose of converting the container, from an article which is obviously of commercial and relatively unornamental appearance, into a highly attractive article of ornamental character.

The present invention consists, briefly of two elements which are removably applicable to the container. One of the elements is a band whose width is substantially equal to the height of the container, and whose length is adequate to enable the band to encircle the container, thereby con cealing the entire side wall of the container. The other element is a cover applicable over the top of the container and provided with a depending cylindrical flange whose inner diameter is great enough to allow the cover element to fit over and enclose the upper edge of the band.

Preferably, the band has a length permitting its ends to be arranged in overlapping relationship.

In one embodiment of the invention, the band is composed of soft flexible material, and I prefer to employ leather for this purpose because of its richly ornamental character. I

The cover element consists preferably of a flanged disk which may, ifdesired, be advantageously covered with a covering material, such as leather, which harmonizes with the material of the band.

In another embodiment, the band is composed of a springy material, such as metal, permanently set into a spiral whose diameter is less than that of the container. In this way, the inherent resilience of the band serves to hold it in a position encircling the container with the ends of the band slightly overlapping. A band of this type may under certain circumstances be desirably covered with a covering material .of ornamental character such as leather.

I achieve the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cover element of the present character;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a band of the present character;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the band in extended condition;

' Figure 4 is an elevational cross sectional view showing the present band and cover element in position on a container;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified type of band showing the manner in which it is applied to a container; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention in con nection with a cylindrical container Ill, composed v of metal such astin, and provided with a fiat top H, this top being part of a removable tin cover.

This container is typical of those which are customarily employed fOr the accommodation and sale of tobacco, and I have therefore illustrated a mass of tobacco l2 within the container Hi. It will be understood however that my invention is equally applicable to containers for other articles and commodities, for example, cigarettes, cigars, or products other than of tobacco origin.

In Figures 2, 3 and 4 I have illustrated a band l3 composed of a flexible ornamental material such as leather. This band has a width substantially equal to the height of the container Ill, and it has a length adequate to permit the band to be snugly encircled around the container as indicated in Figure 4, with the ends of the band in slightly overlapping relation, as shown in Figure 2.

In order to hold the band in this position, I

provide fastening means which I have illustratively shown in the form of separable fastener elements 14 carried by the band near its'ends. The cover element is provided with a top por-' tion l5 and a depending peripheral flange IE. The inner diameter of the flange I6 is sufii ciently great to permit the cover element to fit over and enclose the upper edge of the band i3. Where the band I3 is of leather, or is leather covered, or is composed of some other ornamental flexible material, or has a covering of such material, it is preferable to construct the cover element as shown in Figure 4. A framework consisting of a flanged disk l'l, composed of cardboard or any other suitable material, is provided with a covering of flexible ornamental material identical with or harmonizing with the material of the band 13. This covering material preferably consists of a portion 18 which extends over the top of disk 11, and another portion l9 which completely envelopes the flange of the cover element. A rela tively rigid element 20, preferably composed of wood or the like, is then fitted snugly Within the flange to conceal the inner edge of the covering material l9.

The resultant cover element has a relatively rigid body portion which makes it easy to handle and easy to apply and remove from the container. The flange of the cover element need not be necessarily of such rigid character. I In Figures 5 and 6 I have illustrated a possible modification in which the band comprises an element of springy material 2!, preferably metal, to which a covering 22 of ornamental covering material has been applied. This covering material might be leather, ornamental fabric, or the like.

The springy element is permanently set into a spiral, whose diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the container to which it is to be applied. As a result, this band is applied to the container by slightly expanding the band and then allowing it to spring back into position, whereby the inherent resilience is sufficient to hold the band in position encircling the container.

The cover element used with the band of Figures 5 and 6 is again a flanged member such as that illustrated in Figure 1.

It will be understood that the springy element 2| of Figure 6 might be used by itself, without any covering. It will also be understood that the cover element may, if desired, be of metal, Wood, or other material, uncovered by any additional material.

By use of my invention, an ordinary can of tobacco or cigarettes, or other cylindrical container of this general character, may be purchased on the market and then converted by the purchaser into a high attractive and ornamental humidor or article Worthy of standing in exposed position until the contents of the container have been used up. The present band and cover element serve to completely conceal the commercial character of the container, concealing not only the tinny unattractive nature of the container but also concealing the labels, revenue stamps, and other unornamental features of the ordinary commercial container.

When the present invention is used, the container top may be retained in position, as shown in Figure 4, or it may be permanently discarded. In the latter case, it may be desirable under certain circumstances to mount a humidifying device such as a sponge or the like, on the underside of the present cover element.

It will also be understood that the top portion of the present cover element need not necessarily be entirely flat, as shown in the drawings, but may be of other suitable contour, or it may have an ornament permanently mounted on it.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ornamental covering for a cylindrical container with a flat top, such as a tobacco can, comprising a band removably applicable to the side wall of the container, said band having a width substantially equal to the height of the container, and a length adequate to enable the band to encircle the container, means for holding the band in a position snugly encircling the container, and a cover element removably applicable over the flat top of the container, said cover element having 2. depending cylindrical flange whose inner diameter is great enough to enable the cover element to fit over and enclose the upper edge of said band.

2. An ornamental covering for a cylindrical container with a flat top, such as a tobacco can, comprising a band removably applicable to the side wall of the container, said band having a width ubstantially equal to the height of the container and a length slightly greater than the circumference of the container, means for holding the band in a position snugly encircling the container with the ends of the band slightly overlapping, and a cover element removably applicable over the flat top of the container, said cover eleient having a depending cylindrical flange whose inner diameter is great enough to enable the cover element to fit over and enclose the upper edge of said 3. .nd, said cover element comprising a framework consisting of a flanged disk, a covering of flexible ornamental material extending over the tsp of the disl; and completely enveloping the and relatively rigid element snugly fitin the flange to conceal the inner edge of I vering material.

3. An ornamental covering for a cylindrical container with a flat top, such as a tobacco can, comprising a band removably applicable to the side wall of the container, said band having a width substantially equal to the height of the container and a length slightly greater than the circumference of the container, said band com prising a springy material permanently set into a spiral whose diameter is less than that of the a container whereby the inherent resilience of the band serves to hold it in a position encircling the container with the ends of the band slightly overlapping, and a cover element removably applicable over the flat top of the container, said cover cleinent having depending cylindrical flange whose inner diameter is great enough to enable the cover element to fit over and enclose the up per edge of said band.

t. An ornamental covering for a cylindrical container with a flat top, such as a tobacco can, comprising a band of leather removably applicable to the side wall of the container, said band having a width substantially equal to the height of the container and a length slightly greater than the circumference of the container, sepa' rable fastening means carried by the band to hold it in a position snugly encircling the container with the ends of the band slightly overlapping,

and a cover element removably applicable over the flat top of the container, said cover element comprising a relatively rigid leather-covered disk and a peripherally depending cylindrical flange of leather, the inner diameter of said flange being great enough to enable the cover element to fit over and enclose the upper edge of said band.

5. An ornamental covering for a cylindrical container with a flat top, such as a tobacco can, comprising a band removably applicable to the side wall of the container, said band having a width substantially equal to the height of the container and a length slightly greater than the circumference of the container, said band comprising a springy material permanently set into a spiral whose diameter is less than that of the container whereby the inherent resilience of the band serves to hold it in a position encircling the container with the ends of the band slightly overlapping.

HARVEY LATHROP. 

